Cuba - Vietnam: 65 years of exemplary relations
WVR - Vietnam and Cuba celebrate 65 years of diplomatic relations (2/12/1960 - 2/12/2025), a relationship built on a foundation of deep brotherhood, mutual trust, and strong solidarity. The World and Vietnam Report is honoured to present the translated article by Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, Member of the Politburo of the Communist Party of Cuba, Minister of Foreign Affairs
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| The touching and close image of Prime Minister Pham Van Dong and Prime Minister Fidel Castro in Quang Tri during Fidel Castro's first visit to Vietnam in September 1973. (Source: VNA) |
The shared joy on this anniversary is amplified as we close a meaningful 2025 for bilateral relations, a year designated by the leaders of both countries as the “Vietnam - Cuba Friendship Year”.
During the years when the Vietnamese people fought for independence, the Cuban Revolution early on demonstrated its support and solidarity, becoming the first nation in the Western Hemisphere to establish diplomatic relations with Vietnam. It was also the first in the world to form a Committee of Solidarity with Southern Vietnam, chaired by the heroine of Moncada, Melba Hernández.
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| Member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of Cuba, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla. (Source: VNA) |
Cuba proudly remembers in its schools, parks, and institutions named after Ho Chi Minh, Nguyen Van Troi, and Vo Thi Thang as symbols of the affection many generations of Cubans have for the Vietnamese people and admiration for their struggle for independence and national unity.
On this special day, we cannot forget the immortal words of President Fidel Castro Ruz on January 2, 1966, when he, on behalf of the Cuban people, declared that for Vietnam, Cuba is willing to shed its blood. This sentiment was reaffirmed by the historical leader of the Cuban Revolution during his first visit to Vietnam in September 1973, before the Leaders and people of Vietnam, especially the fighters of the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam, during his visit to the liberated zone of Quang Tri.
During the difficult years of war, Cuba provided modest yet heartfelt assistance to Vietnam in sugarcane, advice in various economic fields, building poultry and livestock centers, sending medical teams, and training hundreds of Vietnamese students. In the reconstruction phase, Cuba aided Vietnam with many projects, including providing equipment and technical advice to build a section of the Ho Chi Minh Trail.
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| Chairman of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Do Van Chien symbolically hands over part of the donation from the Party, State, and People of Vietnam to the People of Cuba to Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, on September 1, 2025. |
After 65 years, the comprehensiveness and depth of the relationship between the two countries not only stem from invaluable contributions to the socio-economic development of each nation but also serve as an exemplary model in international relations, demonstrating that only cooperation and solidarity can help humanity overcome the great challenges of today.
This special bond is explained by the convergence of many factors, notably the legacy of outstanding leaders like Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro Ruz and President Ho Chi Minh – a great revolutionary and brother of Cuba, whom we commemorated on the 135th anniversary of his birth this year. The important foundation of bilateral relations also lies in the correct leadership of the two Communist Parties throughout the revolutionary history of both countries, as well as the spirit of sacrifice and resilience of the Cuban and Vietnamese people, who, despite geographical distance, share moral qualities as Uncle Ho once said.
Regular high-level dialogues, with continuous visits, have facilitated the two countries to share experiences in building socialism, while nurturing the younger generations' awareness of the special nature and history of the fraternal relationship between the two Parties, States, and peoples.
A significant milestone recently was the visit to Cuba in September 2024 by the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, then President of Vietnam, Comrade To Lam. The visit marked a new phase in bilateral relations, aiming to promote economic relations and effective, sustainable cooperation that brings practical benefits to both countries.
Nearly a year later, in September this year, the First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba, President of the Republic of Cuba, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, made a state visit to Vietnam. The leaders of the two countries reviewed the progress of the agreements reached during Comrade To Lam's visit and vigorously promoted bilateral cooperation projects in agriculture, food, energy, and biopharmaceutical production.
Those who had the honor of accompanying President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez on his visit to Vietnam last September still cherish the unforgettable images of the jubilant atmosphere of the people on the streets of Hanoi during the celebrations of Vietnam's 80th National Day. The patriotism of the Vietnamese people left a deep impression on the heads of state and international delegates present in the thousand-year-old capital.
We were deeply moved to witness the fundraising campaign in support of the Cuban people launched by the Vietnam Red Cross and the Vietnam Fatherland Front. The amount raised in just the first 30 hours matched the planned target for nearly two months. This gesture reflects the deep affection and empathy of the Vietnamese people for Cuba.
In the most challenging times, especially from the 1990s, after the dissolution of the Soviet Union, when the U.S. intensified its embargo on Cuba, the Cuban people always received the supportive hand of the Vietnamese people, with shipments of rice, school supplies, computers, and many other practical resources.
Currently prominent are cooperation programs and investment projects aimed at boosting food production in Cuba, contributing gradually to ensuring the country's food security and sovereignty.
Cuba values Vietnam's steadfast support in the fight against the U.S. embargo and the unjust inclusion of Cuba on the list of state sponsors of terrorism. This support is demonstrated year after year with strong speeches by the head of the Vietnamese delegation at the High-Level Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
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| Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla with leaders of both countries and delegates at the Ceremony celebrating 65 years of Vietnam-Cuba diplomatic relations in Hanoi, September 2025. (Source: VNA) |
As we approach 2026, a year of great significance for both nations, with the Communist Party of Cuba holding its 9th Congress and the Communist Party of Vietnam holding its 14th Congress, and having commemorated the 95th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam in Havana this past February.
Both Congresses will set directions for strengthening socialism and socio-economic development in each country. The experiences, discussions, and orientations shared from these significant events will continue to enrich the cooperation between the two Parties, providing political foundation and strategic direction for bilateral relations, which have been reinforced in recent years through delegation exchanges, theoretical seminars, and scientific conferences on topics of mutual interest.
Based on the excellent results of the second session of the Vietnam-Cuba Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation Committee held last October, the parliaments of the two countries will continue to collaborate to strengthen relations, monitor the implementation of comprehensive cooperation and key economic projects.
Furthermore, the two countries will continue to perfect regular mechanisms such as Political Consultations between the two Ministries of Foreign Affairs and the Intergovernmental Committee on Economic and Scientific-Technical Cooperation, with the participation of ministries and sectors making significant contributions to multi-field cooperation.
The year 2026 will be a significant milestone for Vietnam as it begins to enter the Era of National Advancement. We are fully confident that in this new phase, Vietnam will realize the important resolutions of the Party, paving the way for the goal of becoming a developed, high-income, socialist-oriented nation by 2045, the 100th National Day, and continue to fulfill President Ho Chi Minh's aspiration to build a more beautiful Vietnam.
With this optimistic belief, the people of Cuba and Vietnam will continue to stand side by side on the path to victory.
